Powering Assembly and Method For Adjustable Shelving

ABSTRACT

A system, assembly and method for providing power to individual shelves of adjustable shelving wherein such powering, in one or more embodiments, does not require the use of exposed wiring, is adaptable and usable with existing adjustable shelving without considerable changes in the shelving hardware, and/or enables the powering to be provided in an automated basis wherein such does not rely on the mechanical or structural shelf mounting assemblies or components for transmitting power to each shelf, and therefore can be utilized with any current or future shelf mounting system and each shelf receives the per-shelf powering to power any form of shelf related power loads.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/644,635, filed on May 9, 2012. The disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to assemblies and methods for the displayof items in a residential, office, commercial, or retail environment,and more particularly to a display system including power assemblies andmethods for providing power to adjustable shelving used in such displaysystems.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.Adjustable shelving is commonly used wherein shelving may be desired atvarious vertical positions or adjustable over time.

In a retail environment it is common for merchandise to be displayed ona system of adjustable shelves such as a display or bookcase. They canhave a number of holes bored into opposing sides of the case with pegsinserted into the holes of the support shelves or under the supportshelves for mounting of the shelves and thereby displaying itemsthereon, such as merchandise or object art. Such shelves and thereforethe displays can be rearranged by relocating the pegs to different setsof holes in the sides of the display case. In other systems, adjustableshelves can be wall-mounted displays or shelves. These often have anumber of vertically-oriented, slotted standards or rails that areattached to a wall or walled surface component. Brackets having hooksengage the slots on the rails to support shelves. Such displays can beeasily rearranged by relocating the brackets to different slots in thevertically oriented support rails.

To attract customers or draw attention to particular displayed itemslocated on the shelves, such presentation is desired to be aestheticallypleasing so as to present the items in a highly visible and attractivemanner. In many implementations, the major source of lighting is widearea illumination provided by ceiling mounted light fixtures. In somesituations, the ceiling lighting is supplemented with spot lighting toaccent and highlight specific areas or displayed items. Whennon-illuminated shelving is used, shelves nearer the ceiling castshadows onto lower shelves which results in less than optimal lightingof those shelves and the items displayed thereon. It is thereforedesirable to provide a means of illuminating merchandise on lowershelving or racks of a display.

Additionally, existing shelf lighting systems that provide illuminateddisplays or display shelving have been less than satisfactory becausethey are aesthetically displeasing. Many of the display shelving and thedisplayed items thereon are frequently changed for displaying an everchanging variety of goods. Existing shelf lighting systems are oftencumbersome and inflexible to rearrange when adjusting the shelving.Typically, conventional power cords run from the shelf-based lightfixture to an outlet. The power cord is strung under shelving, behindthe displayed item, or otherwise hidden from view so that it would notdetract from an otherwise pleasing display. For a system of fixedshelving, or shelving with a limited range of adjustment, the power cordmay be hidden from view fairly successfully. However, when usingvertically adjustable shelving, the power cord typically droops or isotherwise exposed in view unless additional measures are taken, any ofwhich become burdensome when adjusting the shelving as well at the goodsor items displayed thereon in the future.

Some existing systems have attempted to alleviate some of thesedifficulties by having a power source that can be moved within a limitedrange so that it is located adjacent to a shelf containing a lightfixture. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,720 discloses a bakery displaycase providing vertically adjustable shelves having a light fixturemounted on the front with a plurality of electrical outlets slidablymounted in a channel at the rear of the display area. The outlets can berelocated vertically within a limited range such that a power outlet ispositioned adjacent to the shelf to help minimize power cord exposure.Alternatively, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,973,796 and 5,425,648, disclose verticalshelf structural railing that includes internal power conductors. Theconductors are housed within the mounting rails so that an ordinary(non-powering structure mounting) shelf bracket does not contact theinternal rail powering conductors. In such embodiments, speciallydesigned couplers with spring wires or clips provide for contacting theinternal conductors of the rails when the coupler is inserted into theshelf mounting rails. In such embodiments, an illuminated shelf can beinserted into and supported by a pair of structure mounting rails and aspecial electrical coupler is cabled to a shelf based light fixture byinsertion into one of the shelf structure rails.

While the aforementioned systems address the problem of providing powerto shelf light fixtures, they involve the use of complex powered shelfstructural mounting rails or standards and connectors that areelectrically and mechanically complex and are therefore costly tomanufacture, are susceptible to failure due to mechanical fatigue andwear, and require a complete change out of existing shelving systems andcomponents. Furthermore, electrical connections to the internalconductors of the shelf mounting rails are made by a separate connectorlocated adjacent to the supporting bracket of the illuminated shelf viaan exposed power cord and must be rewired when one or more shelves areadjusted for a changed display arrangement.

There are some existing systems that provide power to adjustable shelvesusing powered mounting rails and coupled brackets, such as thosedisclosed in patent applications US2011/0204009 and US2011/0044030, butsuch systems require use of the specialized mounting rails for receivingthe power and for coupled brackets. There are other systems that providea power supply wherein power connectors and wires can be manuallyconnected by a user by plugging in a connector and running the wires tothe shelf. However, such systems are often not desirable in retail,residential, commercial and/or office display applications that useadjustable shelving as the connectors and wires are visible and notdesirable from an aesthetic presentation/appearance perspective.Further, these prior art shelf lighting systems require the manualmanipulation of the power connectors and wiring whenever the shelves areadjusted to a different vertical position, which often requires morecomplexity and skill in making adjustments to the shelves than is oftenavailable.

As such, the inventor hereof had identified the need for an improvedshelf lighting system that provides per-shelf powering that ispractical, available for upgrading of existing adjustable shelvingassemblies, is cosmetically unobtrusive or nearly invisible, and thatrequires little to no manual manipulation by the user when theadjustable shelves are changed to have a different vertical position.

SUMMARY

The inventor hereof has succeeded at designing a system and method forproviding power to individual shelves of adjustable shelving whereinsuch powering, in one or more embodiments, does not require the use ofexposed wiring, is adaptable and usable with existing adjustableshelving without considerable changes in the shelving hardware, and/orenables the powering to be provided in an automated basis. Such systemsdo not rely on the mechanical or structural shelf mounting assemblies orcomponents for transmitting power to each shelf, and therefore can beutilized with any current or future shelf mounting system. Each shelfreceiving the per-shelf powering can include one or more forms of powerloads such as lighting, air circulation, or the like.

According to one aspect, an assembly provides power to a shelf within anadjustable shelf assembly that has a shelf supporting bracketselectively coupleable with a shelf bracket mounting fixture to mountthe shelf to a shelf mounting body of the adjustable shelf assembly atone of a plurality of vertical positions. The assembly has a power trackwith an elongated body, a mounting side for mounting to a surface of theshelf mounting body, and an exposed side on an opposing side of the bodyfrom the mounting side. The power track has two elongated power railspositioned on the exposed side and about a substantial length of theelongated body and a rail isolator positioned between the two powerrails electrically isolating a first of the two power rails from asecond of the two power rails. The power track also has a powerreceiving interface receiving power energy from a power source andproviding a portion of the received power energy to the two power rails.The assembly has a shelf power coupler with a housing body, a powertrack connection interface and a shelf power feed interface. The powertrack connection interface has a first connector electrically contactingthe first power rail of the power track and a second connectorelectrically contacting the second power rail. The first and secondconnectors are elastic for making first and second power connections tothe first and second power rails respectively each having a biasingpressure thereto. The shelf power feed interface provides the powerenergy received from the first and second connectors to a shelf-basedpower load. The shelf power coupler has a shelf mounting fixture formounting the shelf power coupler proximate to a rear edge of the shelfat a position that is aligned with the power track that is mounted tothe shelf mounting body when the shelf is mounted onto the shelfsupporting bracket that is coupled to the shelf bracket mounting fixtureon the shelf mounting body.

In another aspect, a method provides power to a shelf within anadjustable shelf assembly having a shelf supporting bracket selectivelycoupleable with a shelf bracket mounting fixture to mount to a shelfmounting body of the adjustable shelf assembly in one of a plurality ofvertical positions. The method includes attaching the shelf bracket tothe shelf bracket mounting fixture and mounting a power track to theshelf mounting body. The power track has an elongated body with amounting side for mounting to a surface of the shelf mounting body andan exposed side on an opposing side of the body from the mountingsurface. The power track has two elongated power rails positioned on theexposed side and about a substantial length of the elongated body and arail isolator positioned between the two power rails electricallyisolating a first of the two power rails from a second of the two powerrails. The power track also has a power receiving interface receivingpower energy from a power source and providing a portion of the receivedpower energy the two power rails. The method also includes couplingpower energy to the power receiving interface of the power trackproviding power energy to the first and second power rails of the powertrack. The method further includes aligning a shelf power coupler withthe mounted power track wherein the shelf power coupler having a housingbody, a power track connection interface and a shelf power feedinterface. The power track connection interface includes a firstconnector and a second connector each of which is elastic for makingfirst and second power connections under a biasing pressure. The methodincludes placing the shelf with the mounted shelf power coupler on theattached shelf bracket and making a first connection between the firstconnector and the first power rail and a second connection between thesecond connector and the second power rail. The method also includesapplying a biasing pressure to the shelf in the direction of the shelfmounting body and the power track and to the first and second connectorsagainst the first and second power rails, respectively, and selectivelystabilizing the shelf to the shelf mounting bracket retaining the shelfin the biased pressure position.

Further aspects of the present disclosure will be in part apparent andin part pointed out below. It should be understood that various aspectsof the disclosure may be implemented individually or in combination withone another. It should also be understood that the detailed descriptionand drawings, while indicating certain exemplary embodiments, areintended for purposes of illustration only and should not be construedas limiting the scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a prior art assembly forproviding power to an adjustable shelf having a user selectable powerconnection and connecting power cable.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are a top view, an end view and a top perspectiveview of a power track according to one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side cross sectional view of a shelf power couplerintegrated with a shelf having two collapsible connector pins accordingto one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of an assembly illustrating thepowered shelf mounted on two brackets with the shelf power coupleraligned for making automated and pressurized/biased contact with thepower track rails that is separate from the shelf mounting supportassembly according to one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a power track and shelf powercoupler having a different power rail configuration and attachmentthereto according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side cross sectional side view of the power track asillustrated in FIG. 5 according to one exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are a perspective view and end view, respectively, of ashelf power coupler according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a power load and connection to the shelfpower coupler according to one exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are an end view of a third embodiment of a powertrack having a separate data interface in the power track, a shelf powercoupler for such a power track and a top view of the track of FIG. 9A,respectively, according to yet additional exemplary embodiments.

It should be understood that throughout the drawings, correspondingreference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure or the disclosure'sapplications or uses.

Before turning to the figures and the various exemplary embodimentsillustrated therein, a detailed overview of various embodiments isprovided for purposes of breadth of scope, context, clarity, andcompleteness.

There are various forms of adjustable shelving used for storing anddisplaying shelf based items. For example, a first well known method isthe use of shelf rests that are inserted in a set of common horizontallypositioned holes, from among a plurality of vertically placed commonhorizontal holes. Shelf mounting pins are inserted into the holes andhave a rest portion extending into the shelving area for placement of ashelve thereon. In such mounting systems, such as used in furniture,cabinets, closet shelf organizers, by way of example, typically fourshelf rests are inserted into four common height holes. In similararrangements, rather than use of a pinned shelf with a shelf rest, a“snapclip” shelf rest can capture the shelf to prevent vertical removalof the captured shelf. These “snapclips” typically are also insertedinto a hole with a pin. In these arrangements, all four of the shelfrests must be moved to a different common vertically level (horizontallypositioned) holes to change the vertical position of the shelf. Theshelf is than placed on top of the four shelf rests.

In a second suitable embodiment, a prior art adjustable shelving systemhas a vertically mounted track having vertically spaced apart slots forreceiving shelf brackets having hooks for insertion and engagement ofthe mounting tracks. An example of such an adjustable shelf mountingsystem or assembly is shown in FIG. 1. The reference coordinate systemfor this specification is shown in FIG. 1 for the X (lateral), Y(vertical) and Z (longitudinal) as will be referred commonly herein.

As a reference for discussion herein, the term lateral is referred to asside by side along the x-axis when viewing the mounted shelf from afront position or in front of the end to end of the shelf, e.g., rightto left on the shelf or wall or cabinet on which the shelf is mounted.The vertically mounted mounting track are in vertical plane or theY-axis. The brackets for a shelf are laterally spaced apart but arevertically mounted but protrude from the mounting surfacelongitudinally. A pair of shelf brackets are positioned at substantiallylevel vertical Y-axis positions so that the shelf brackets and shelvesplaced thereon are horizontal or level. The reference to longitudinalpositioning refers to the position that is along a line that isperpendicular to the mounting surface, i.e., back to front of thebracket and back to front of the shelf, and therefore perpendicular tothe lateral positioning of the shelving.

The shelf 10 is mounted and supported by mounting brackets 12 that areselectively coupled to mounting tracks 14 that are fixedly mounted to amounting surface 16. Typically two mounting tracks 14 are mounted to themounting surface 16 in a spaced apart manner such as by a fixed orpredetermined lateral (X-direction or along the x-axis) distance. Thetwo spaced apart mounting tracks 14 are usually in parallel to eachother. Each mounting track 14 has at least one set of spaced apart slots18 positioned vertically along an outer face for receiving one or morehooks (not shown but commonly known) of one of the shelf mountingbrackets 12. The vertically spaced apart slots 18 can also be inhorizontal sets or pairs so that brackets 12 placed on two parallelmounting tracks 14 are level with each other. The hooks of a firstbracket 12 can be mounted in a left side mounting track 14 and the hooksof a second bracket 12 can be mounted in a right side mounting track 14and the two brackets 12 will be mounted or placed horizontal to eachother so that the shelf 10 placed upon the two brackets 12 is generallylevel for use.

The mounting track 14 can be made of any type of material but isgenerally made of a metal that is screwed or otherwise affixed to themounting surface in two or more locations for supporting the weight ofthe shelves 10 mounted thereon. FIG. 1 shows four screws 15, by way ofexample for each mounting track 14 to mounting surface 16. The brackets12 can also be made of metal or a synthetic such as a plastic orcomposite. However, as will be generally described herein, the presentadjustable shelf powering system and method does not require that themounting track 14 or the brackets 12 attachable thereto are conductiveor that they are fee of conductive reducing surface coverings, such asthose disclosed in U.S. Patent Publications US 2011/0204009 andUS2011/0044030. As shown in FIG. 1 for future reference, each shelf 10has two opposing ends 22, a front edge 24, a rear edge 26, a top surface28 and a bottom surface 30. Each bracket 12 has a footer 32 thatincludes the one or more hooks for coupling to the slots 18, and shelfsupport 34 on which the shelf 10 is placed and supported.

In a third exemplary suitable embodiments, an adjustable shelving systemfor use with the shelf powering system as described herein can include aprior art “slatwall” or slat based mounting system and method. Slatwallis a building material for covering a wall. It is generally a panel madewith horizontal grooves that are designed to accept a variety of hangeror hanging devices that can often be used in retail merchandizing and isbecoming more popular in home storage systems as well. The mountingsurface is typically covered in a slatwall panel. The panels are made ofa plastic or medium density fiberboard such as a moisture resistantmedium density fiberboard (MDF). The MDF is typically covered with apaper or laminate for a finished look and feel. The grooves in the MDFboard can be machined therein, or the entire slatwall can be formed froma pressing or plastic forming process. Various shelf brackets formounting shelves on slatwalls can be made of plastic or of a metal,which is often aluminum. The horizontal slats on the slatwall are whatthe brackets hang on. The brackets are used for shelving and can bemetal or plastic. See for example.http://usslatwall.com/slatwall/slatwall_accessory.php; andhttp://www.allendesigners.com/c/slatwall.

These are three examples of adjustable shelving that are suitable foruse with the present adjustable shelving powering systems and methods.

FIG. 1 also illustrates a prior art shelf powering system. As shown, oneexemplary current shelf powering system includes a vertically mountedpower strip 40. The power strip 40 is mounted to the mounting surface 16often using mounting clips 42. The power strip 40 receives AC or Dcpower from an external power source via power input 44 which is usuallyan AC outlet or DC power supply connected to an AC outlet. These caninclude low voltage AC or DC power supplies or any suitable source ofpower as required by the load 50 being powered. The power strip 40 isadapted for attachment of one or more shelf power connectors 46 thathave wires 48 that can be routed to the underside or lower surface 30 ofshelf 10. Each shelf 10 has a lighting unit 50 that can be connected viaconnector 52 to wire 48 for receiving electrical energy. As shown, thetop shelf 10 lighting unit 50 can include a plurality of LED lights 54or can be a fluorescent tube 56 as shown in the lower shelf 10 ofFIG. 1. As shown, the connectors 46 for each shelf have a length of wire48 that must be routed from the connector 46 to the shelf 10 around andby the bracket 12 and over to a load connector 52. When each shelf 10needs to be adjusted to change the height of the shelf 10 or a distancebetween two shelves 10, the user is required to rerun wire 48 andpossible disconnect and reposition shelf connector 46 which may alsorequire that the shelf load 50 be disconnected from the wire 48 at theload connector 52. These often need to be disconnected and reconnectedand the wire 48 may or may not be the desired length and are often toolong and therefore the surplus wire 48 is often in the way, hanging toolow or needs to be bundled to get it out of the way and out of visualsight.

In contrast to the above described prior art system of FIG. 1, thepresent disclosure provides various exemplary embodiments of an assemblyproviding power to a shelf within an adjustable shelf assembly thatautomatically coupled and decouples power to each shelf upon theinstallation of the shelf on brackets. As described herein, the presentdisclosed assembly is adaptable for use with existing adjustableshelving without the need for special mounting brackets or a change tothe bracket mounting tracks. The various embodiments of the shelfpowering assembly herein will work with any adjustable shelf assemblyhaving a shelf supporting bracket selectively coupleable with a shelfbracket mounting fixture to mount the shelf to a shelf mounting body ofthe adjustable shelf assembly at one of a plurality of verticalpositions.

Generally, in one embodiment, a shelf powering assembly has a powertrack with an elongated body, a mounting side for mounting to a surfaceof the shelf mounting body, and an exposed side on an opposing side ofthe body from the mounting side. The assembly has a power track with anelongated body, a mounting side for mounting to a surface of the shelfmounting body, and an exposed side on an opposing side of the body fromthe mounting side. The power track has two elongated power railspositioned on the exposed side and about a substantial length of theelongated body and a rail isolator positioned between the two powerrails electrically isolating a first of the two power rails from asecond of the two power rails. The power track also has a powerreceiving interface receiving power energy from a power source providingthe received power energy to the two power rails. The assembly has ashelf power coupler with a housing body, a power track connectioninterface and a shelf power feed interface. The power track connectioninterface has a first connector electrically contacting the first powerrail of the power track and a second connector electrically contactingthe second power rail. The first and second connectors are elastic formaking first and second power connections to the first and second powerrails respectively each having a biasing pressure thereto. The shelfpower feed interface provides the power energy received from the firstand second connectors to a shelf-based power load. The shelf powercoupler has a shelf mounting fixture for mounting the shelf powercoupler proximate to a rear edge of the shelf at a position that isaligned with the power track that is mounted to the shelf mounting bodywhen the shelf is mounted onto the shelf supporting bracket that iscoupled to the shelf bracket mounting fixture on the shelf mountingbody.

In one embodiment, an adjustable shelving system and method forautomatically providing power to a shelf when mounted includes variouscomponents, each of which will be described in more detail herein. Thesecan include a local AC power source or a DC power source. When the DCpower is provided, the DC power can be provided by a low voltage DCpower source. However, as described herein, the presently describeddisclosure includes all types of power from all types of power sources.

A power track is coupled to the power source that can be mountedvertically for providing power to one or more shelves that can bemounted at various heights or vertical positions on the mountingsurface. The power track is separate and distinct from the structuralshelf mounting systems, mounting tracks or brackets as described above.A shelf coupler is associated with each shelf for which power is to beprovided. The shelf coupler and power track are configured so that theshelf coupler automatically electrically couples with the power trackupon placement of the shelf with the shelf coupler onto the shelfmounting brackets. The shelf coupler and power track, as will bedescribed, do not require any special attachment or wiring and are notconductively coupled or connected to the shelf mounting rails, tracks,pins brackets or mounting surface. The power track is configured for usewith new and existing shelving systems, for example the three asdescribed above. The shelf coupler is configured for use with any new orexisting shelf or shelving system.

Each shelf can then be configured with one or more shelf power loads.The shelf power load is of course the reason and purpose for thepowering of each adjustable shelf. The shelf power loads can includelighting such as lights, LED lights or lighting strips, spot lights,fans, media players that play attract clips with the purpose ofexplaining the displayed items or merchandise (such as audio clips orvideos) associated therewith, or sensors associated with such or withshelf or product security devices, by ways of example, and not limitedthereto. The shelf can be configured with an interface between the shelfcoupler and the shelf power load so as to standardize such powering onthe shelf basis on a plug and play basis and without having to runwires. In some embodiments, the shelf power distribution assembly can bevia flat or ribbon having two strands. In other embodiments, theper-shelf powering assembly can include a connectable power strip thatcan be mounted on or built into the shelf for allowing the variableplacement of shelf power loads therein. Such shelf powering assemblywill provide for the placement such as a snap or plug and power for anylighting, spot light or security device at any lateral position alongthe shelf.

Power Track.

Adjustable shelving automatic power track hereinafter simply referred toas power track. Various examples of a power track are shown is FIGS. 2A,2B and 2C, as well as FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. The power track can take avariety of forms but generally is an elongated body having at least twopowering rails, one each of a different polarity and each beingelectrically isolated from the other contained therein via an Isolator.Each powering rail of the power track is accessible via a front cavityor slot in the power track body for receiving a contact pin of aconnecting shelf power coupler. The power track is mounted verticallyand parallel to the mechanical mounting tracks on a mounting surfacesuch as a wall or rear wall of a shelf or cabinet by attachment theretoat one or more locations such as the top or bottom. The power track hasa power source interface for receiving power from the power supply forproviding the powering rails with power energy. The power receivinginterface can be at either the top end, the bottom end or anyway inbetween on the power track. Of course, one skilled in the art willunderstand that while the present application addresses a verticalmounting of the power track, such a power track can also be mounted andused in a horizontal configuration as well and still be within the scopeof the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the power receivinginterface can be adapted so that the polarity of the power track ismaintained regardless of where the power receiving interface is mounted.

FIG. 2 (See FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C) provides exemplary embodiments of onepower track 60 suitable for use with the present shelf poweringassembly. The power track 60 has an elongated body 62 having a lengthD_(R) with an exposed top surface 64 and a mounting surface 66 that ison the opposing side to the top surface 64. Two parallel electricallyconducting power rails 70 (shown as 70A and 70B) are positioned aboutthe length of the elongated body 62 and are separated by an isolator 72also referred herein as a power rail isolator 72. As shown in thisexemplary embodiment (see FIG. 2B), the elongated body 62 has twomounting portions 74 and a powering portion 76. The two mountingportions can also be configured for added mechanical strength of thepower track 60 to minimize flex thereof. The powering portion 76includes the two power rails 70 and the isolator 72. As shown, eachpower rail 70A, 70B, is mounted to the elongated body 60 by railmounting fixtures 78 (that may have a lip 79 forming a rail cavity) anda retaining lip 80 of the isolator 72. In this illustrated exemplaryembodiment, the power rails 70 are mounted on protrusions 82 in a spacedapart relation to the elongated body 60. The protrusions 82 can beconfigured to provide mechanical pressure to the power rails 70A, 70B toprevent or suppress the power rails 70A, 70B from sliding out of thepower track 60 Further, protrusions 82 can provide an elastic biasingforce to the rails 70A, 70B when placed under pressure from connectingpins 102A, 102B. The power rails 70 can be further coupled to the powersource 92 via fix rail retainers 84 to the mounting surface 16.

The power track 60 has a power rail interface 85 on a powering end 86.The power rail interface 85 has two power inputs 88A and 88B, eachseparately electrically coupled to one of the two rails 70A and 70B.Each power input 88A, 88 b is coupled to an electrical wire 90A, 90Bthat is coupled to an external power source 92 that provides power tothe power track 60.

The power track 60 is mounted vertically on the mounting surface 16 in aspaced apart lateral position either between the two laterally spacedbracket mounting fixtures 14, or can be laterally spaced anywhere alongthe lateral length of the shelf 10. The shelf brackets 12 are mounted tothe bracket mounting fixtures 14 and extend longitudinally from thebracket mounting fixture 14 and the mounting surface 16 outward forreceiving and supporting a shelf 10 placed thereon.

Shelf Power Coupler.

The shelf powering assembly also includes a shelf power coupler 100, asshown by way of example in FIG. 3 that is associated with a shelf 10 andcouples to the power track 60. The coupler 100 can be configured as anintegrated component of the shelf 10 or as an attachable component. Inthe example as shown in FIG. 3, the coupler 100 has two connectors 102Aand 102B, each of which are electrically separate, and each of which arespaced apart to correspond to the spaced apart relation of the powerrails 70A, 70B of power track 60. Each connector 102A, 102B in theexample of FIG. 3 is integrated into the body of the shelf 10 with theconnecting portions 104A, 104B extending longitudinally from the readedge 26 of the shelf 10. Each connector has a shelf powering portion106A, 106B that is coupled to shelf power wires 108A, 108B fordelivering power received from the power rails 70A, 70B via connectingportions 104A, 104B to shelf power loads (not shown). The shelf powerwires 104A, 104B can be implement as a wire, a ribbon cable or othermeans including a mating jack assembly. The power load 70 has a matingfeature for the provided power wire 104A, 108, such as a jack and plugarrangement. FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of connectors 102A, 102B thatare formed of interlocking portions with internal springs for providingfor the collapsing of the connectors 102A, 102B under pressure againstthe power rails 70A, 70B and thereafter providing a biasing forced thereagainst. Each connector 102A, 102B is shown having three tube portions108A, 108B, and 108C that form each connector 102A, 102B and have anextended non-compressed length d₀. The tube portions 108B and 108C arebiased outwardly by force F₁ so that the uncollapsed connector has thelength d₀ such as when the coupler 100 is not mounted to a power track60 in a biased position therewith. When a force F₂ is applied to thepowering end 104A such as by a shelf 10 with the coupler 100 mounted ona rear edge 26 during mounting on brackets 12, the coupler 100 engagesthe shelf power rail 70, and tube portions 108B and/or 108C at leastpartially collapse under pressure by a distance d₁ and thereafter applyan outward biasing force F₃. The biased tube portions 108A, 108, and108C apply pressure or biasing force F3 so that connecting portions104A, 104B electrically engage the power rails 70A, 70B and remain undera biasing contact pressure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a coupler 100 having connector formed in a read edge26 of shelf 10, however, in other embodiments coupler 100 can be aseparate attachable component as shown in FIG. 4. In this example,coupler 100 is shown when mounted to a shelf lighting panel 110 havingan elongated body 114 with a plurality of power loads 112, shown in thisexample as LED lights 112. In this example, the elongated body 114 ofthe shelf lighting panel 110 is mounted to two opposing brackets 12 ateach end that are coupled to the mounting rails 14 via slots 18. Themounting rails 14 are mounted to mounting surface 16. The power track 60is also mounted to the mounting surface 16 via fasteners 84. The coupler100 with the two connectors 102A, 102B is mounted to the elongated body114 and positioned so that the connectors 102A, 102B are aligned toengage the power rails 70A, 70B when the brackets 12 are mounted on themounting rails 14. As the brackets 12 are selectively coupled to themounting rails 14 by placement of hooks into slots 18, the shelflighting panel 110 is positioned parallel to the mounting surface 16 andthe connectors 102A, 102B are biased against the power rails 70A, 70Band held in that biased position by the brackets 12 being held inposition on the mounting rails 14.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a shelfpowering assembly. In this embodiment, the power track 60 has two powerrails 70A, 70B that are mounted longitudinally on the two opposing sidesof isolator 72 via isolator lips 80. The track 60 has two cavities 120defined between the isolator 72 in the center of the elongated body 62and two opposing end walls 122. The coupler 100 has a housing 124 thatdefined two extending portions 126 that are dimensioned for insertioninto the cavities 120 and a center cavity 128 dimensioned for receivingthe isolator 72 along with the two opposing longitudinally mounted powerrails 70A, 70B therein, when the coupler 100 is positioned onto thepower track 60 as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 also shows an additional feature of some embodiments. The powertrack 60 can include a polarity feature 130 that has a mating portion(not shown) on the housing 124 of the coupler 100. As shown in FIG. 6,this mating portion or feature 130 can be a protrusion within the cavity120 or anywhere on the elongated body 62, but preferably within thecavity 120 or along the outer wall 122 or the isolator 72 for ensuringthat the coupling coupler 100 is only mounted to the power track 60 inonly one orientation so that connector 102A of coupler 100 is onlycoupled to power rail 70A and the connector 102B is only coupled topower rails 70B.

In another embodiment, the electrical coupler 100 is a standalonecomponent that can be coupled to a shelf 10 along the rear edge 26. Asshown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the coupler 100 can have a housing 124 thatcan be about 1 inch squared. The coupler 100 has a power trackconnection interface 131 comprised of the connectors 102A, 102B and ashelf power feed interface 132 for coupling to a shelf power load 112.In such embodiments, the power track connection interface 131 isconfigured for receiving power from the power track 60 via two powerreceiving connectors 102A, 102B. Each of these connectors 102A, 102Breceives a different polarity of the power from the power rails 70A, 70Bof power track 60. To provide automated electrical connection of thecoupler 100 to the power track 60 upon placement of the shelf 10 havingthe coupler 100 onto the shelving brackets 12, the two connectors 102A,102B can be mechanically biased for compression (under pressure) againstthe power rails 70A, 70B of the power track 60. FIG. 8 illustrates acompatible power load 112 for coupling to the coupler 100 via the shelfpower feed interface 132. The load 112 has a power receptacle 140 thatcan couple or mate with the shelf power feed interface 132 of thecoupler 100. As shown in this embodiment, the power load 112 can have aload body 134 that is coupled to the receptacle 140 via wire 142. theload body can include a plurality of lights 144 such as shown as LEDlights 144 for providing lighting 146.

In other embodiments, the power track 60 can also include a data rail160 as shown in FIG. 9A. The data rail 160 would be coupled to a datainterface within power rail interface 85 for data communication withexternal data systems such as a computer or control system. The datarail 160 would act as a communication medium between the remote datasystem and any data system components located on the powered shelf 10.The power track 60 would be mounted via fastener 84 to the mountingsurface 16. The data rail 160 could be spaced apart by a distance L₂from the fastener 84 and on the opposing side thereof the power rails70A, 70B can be positioned at a distance of L₁. In some embodiments acoupler 100 can include a data connector 162 for coupling to the datarail 160 of the power track 60 as shown in FIG. 9B as an optionalfeature (dashed lines). The coupler 100 as shown in FIG. 9B can includea depth adjustable that provides the user the ability to change thedepth of the coupler connector pins 102A, 102B that extend from the rearedge 26 of the shelf 10 via knob 164 interworking with threads 166. Insuch embodiments of a coupler 100, once mounted to a shelf 10, thecoupler can be adjusted for varying the coupling distance D_(T) toensure proper biased electrical connection with the power rails 70A, 70Bof power track 60 which is mounted to a mounting surface 16 behind theshelf 10. FIG. 9C illustrates one exemplary arrangement of powerconnectors 102A, 102B, with the optional data connector 162 arranged forcoupling to power rails 70A, 70B, and data rail 160.

Power Source.

The power source 92 provides AC or DC power to the power track 60. Inthe case of AC power, this can be a coupling to a local AC power source.In the case of DC power, the local DC power source can be an interfacefor receiving local DC power or can include an AC to DC power converter.Such DC power supply can include a transformer, a voltage and/or acurrent controller and/or a load stabilizer. In some embodiments, thepower source 92 is enabled for the addition and/or removal of one ormore powered shelf couplers or powered shelves without interruption orchanges in the overall powering system. The power source 92 can bepositioned at any place that can be conductively coupled to one or morepower tracks 60.

Polarity Verifying Power Track and Shelf Power Coupler.

In one embodiment, the power track 60 can be configured with a polarityverification feature that is also implemented by the shelf power couplerto ensure that the shelf power coupler is coupled with the properpolarity. In these embodiments, a mating male/female for the power trackrail access and the shelf power coupler connectors can be used. In otherembodiments, a notch or bump with a corresponding protrusion on theconnecting part can be implemented. One such arrangement is shown inFIG. X, by way of example. In some such embodiments, it may be desirableto ensure the proper or verified polarity of mating prior to theconnectors of the shelf power coupler making electrical contact with thepower rails of the power track.

Various Exemplary Embodiments

The adjustable power shelf assembly as described herein receives powerfrom the power track via the shelf power coupler on a per-shelf basis,by simple placement of the coupler on the shelf in lateral alignmentwith the power track and then simple placement of the shelf on thebrackets with a slight biasing of the coupler towards the power trackfor engaging the coupler therewith.

Once the shelf has received power via the shelf power coupler from thepower track; each shelf can be configured to utilize the shelf powerbased on the needs of the user or particular application. For instance,the shelf may be configured with lighting such as LED low voltagelighting that is electrically coupled to the shelf power coupler. Theshelf power load can be separate from the coupler or can be configuredintegral with the coupler when mounted on or configured with the shelf.

In one embodiment, the adjustable shelf powering can be used with anyshelf retainable with brackets having front/top shelf retaining hooks orother retaining means. In one exemplary embodiment, the power coupler isattached directly to the back of the existing or current shelf. The twoopposing support brackets are placed on the mounting fixtures, and theshelf, with the coupler, is then placed on the brackets. Assuming thebrackets have front shelf hooks or retainers, the user aligns thecoupler with the power track along the lateral length between the twoends and between the two brackets and therefore the two mountingfixtures. When the user applies pressure to the shelf to push the shelfback towards the mounting surface and to position the shelf body ontothe brackets and to engage the front hooks of each bracket, theelectrical contact is made.

This particular embodiment can be used where the brackets have front/topshelf retaining hooks so as to hold the shelf and therefore thecompressible coupler in a fixed position relative to the mountingsurface or wall, so that the shelf mounted on the brackets and held inposition with the bracket hooks. This maintains the pressured couplercontact with the power track. Unless there is some other physical forceto prevent the shelf from moving longitudinally (perpendicular from themounting surface forward), the weight/mass of the shelf and its contentsalong with the friction of the shelf on the brackets may be sufficientto prevent longitudinal movement of the shelf. If not, there may be aneed to retain the shelf in a fixed position such as using brackets withfront mounting hooks to keep the shelf and therefore the shelf couplerunder pressure with the power track for ensuring continued poweringthereof.

In other embodiments, there are various ways to mount the coupler to theback edge of any type of shelf. For example, the coupler can include oneor more shelf mounting adapters or adapter fixtures to allow forvariable lateral positioning of the couple along the back edge of theshelf. This could include a variable longitudinal positioning to providethat the coupler pins properly engage and connect with the power track.The coupler mounting fixture could or adapter could also be availablefor mounting the coupler to the shelf to address the variations inthickness of the shelves and also the varying distanced from the backedge of the shelf to the power track.

In some embodiments, the shelf powering system of the present disclosurecan be used with any shelf even though the shelf is not retainable withfront/top shelf retaining hooks or other retaining means fromlongitudinal movement. In such an embodiment, this may apply to manydisplay cases having shelves wherein the brackets do not extend all theway to the front of the shelf. In this embodiment, an existing shelfmounting system including mounts and brackets may need to be upgradeablewithout changing of the current mounting system or brackets. Such anembodiment could use a variable length mounted coupler mechanism or onewith a predefined length.

In the predefined length embodiment, the coupler could be mounted to acoupler mounting arm/bar that attaches at each end to the bracket toinhibit longitudinal movement of the coupler away from the mountingsurface/wall. In some embodiments, the coupler arm could be configuredwith new brackets attached or attachable to the ends of the coupler arm.For instance, the coupler arm could include a hole or other fixture forsecuring the end of the coupler arm to the bracket. However, in otherembodiments, the ends of the coupler arm could be configured forsecuring to any existing bracket design so that an existing bracketmounting for a shelf can be upgraded using existing shelf mountinghardware and implementations thereof. In the fixed length or predefinedlength embodiment, each bracket can be drilling and the end of thecoupler arm attached to the hold, or the end of the coupler arm can beattached in other ways to the brackets. For instance, in someembodiments, the end of the coupler arm can be attached to each bracketso that such attachment restricts the arms longitudinal movement (fromthe back wall towards the front when the coupler is under pressure ofthe coupler biasing pin connectors). In one embodiment, each end of thecoupler arm can be mounted to the back end of the bracket where thebracket mounting hooks are located and can even be configured to fitbehind the back end of the bracket to be retained between the back endof the bracket and the wall on which it is mounted. In this manner, theback mounting surface of the bracket hold the coupler arm in itslongitudinal position and is proximity to the mounting surface. Thepower load devices such as the LED lights or the like could be fixed forthe fixed length, or could be themselves variable along the coupler arm.

In some embodiments, there is a variable length coupler arm that allowsfor the same coupler arm to be applied to various distances betweenshelves and shelf brackets. For instances, users and current shelvingimplementations don't have or necessarily have or want to have an exact24 or 36 inches between the mounting rails on the mounting surface andtherefore the brackets. As such, in some embodiments, the presentdisclosure provides for a variable distance sliding assembly forextending to a plurality of user definable and adaptable distancesbetween two shelf brackets. In one embodiment, this would be acollapsing or bi-passing two member unit where the user can pull the twoends of a slidably coupled unit to a user definable length for thecoupler arm. For instance, in one embodiment, the variable length of onecoupler mounting arm could be between 18 (fully collapsed) and up to 36inches fully extended, e.g., the variable distances betweenbrackets/mounting rails. In such an embodiment, one coupler mounting armcould allow a user to upgrade an existing shelf, regardless of thedistance between the brackets and mounting rails, by removing the shelffrom the bracket, installing the power track, and then adjusting thecoupler arm to the current shelf mounting brackets, mount each end ofthe coupler arm to one of the brackets, and then align the couplerlaterally along the coupler arm to engage the power track. In thismanner, the user would just put the brackets up, extend the coupler armbetween the two brackets, and attach each end to each of the brackets,mount or slide the coupler to the position along the extended couplerarm to engage the power track and then install or place whatever shelfthey wanted onto the brackets. The variable length coupler arm couldalso have variably positionable LED lights, fans, outlets for placementalong the length of the coupler arm. These power loads can be spread outor additional ones added.

Power Source.

The power source 92 provides AC or DC power to the power track 60. Inthe case of AC power, this can be a coupling to a local AC power source.In the case of DC power, the local DC power source can be an interfacefor receiving local DC power or can include an AC to DC power converted.Such DC power supply can include a transformer, a voltage and/or acurrent controller and/or a load stabilizer. In some embodiments, thepower source 92 is enabled for the addition and/or removal of one ormore powered shelf couplers or powered shelves without interruption orchanges in the overall powering system. The power source 92 can bepositioned at any place that can be conductively coupled to one or morepower tracks 60.

In such embodiments, the power track can be vertically mounted on theslat wall by any means, including hanging the power track on the slatwall mounts at the top and bottom for example. The slat wall bracketsare mounted at the desired vertical position. The shelf coupler can bemounted to the back of the shelf laterally aligned with the power track.The shelf can then be placed on the brackets that at that same timeengages the vertically mounted power track for automatically receivingpower at the time of placement of the shelf on the brackets.

When describing elements or features and/or embodiments thereof, thearticles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that thereare one or more of the elements or features. The terms “comprising”,“including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements or features beyond those specificallydescribed.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes can be madeto the exemplary embodiments and implementations described above withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshould be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is further to be understood that the processes or steps describedherein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring theirperformance in the particular order discussed or illustrated. It is alsoto be understood that additional or alternative processes or steps maybe employed.

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly for providing power to a shelf withinan adjustable shelf assembly, the adjustable shelf assembly having ashelf supporting bracket selectively coupleable with a shelf bracketmounting fixture to mount the shelf to a shelf mounting body of theadjustable shelf assembly at one of a plurality of vertical positions,the assembly comprising: a power track having an elongated body with amounting side for mounting to a surface of the shelf mounting body, andan exposed side on an opposing side of the body from the mounting side,the power track having two elongated power rails positioned on theexposed side and about a substantial length of the elongated body, and arail isolator positioned between the two power rails electricallyisolating a first of the two power rails from a second of the two powerrails, the power track having a power receiving interface receivingpower energy from a power source and providing a portion of the receivedpower energy to the two power rails; and a shelf power coupler having ahousing body, a power track connection interface and a shelf power feedinterface, the power track connection interface having a first connectorelectrically contacting the first power rail of the power track and asecond connector electrically contacting the second power rail, thefirst and second connectors being elastic for making first and secondpower connections to the first and second power rails respectively eachhaving a biasing pressure thereto, the shelf power feed interfaceproviding the power energy received from the first and second connectorsto a shelf-based power load, the shelf power coupler having a shelfmounting fixture for mounting the shelf power coupler proximate to arear edge of the shelf at a position that is aligned with the powertrack mounted to the shelf mounting body when the shelf is mounted ontothe shelf supporting bracket that is coupled to the shelf bracketmounting fixture on the shelf mounting body.
 2. The assembly of claim 1wherein the first and second connectors are collapsible pins, thecollapsible pins providing the biasing pressure against the first andsecond power rails, respectively.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein thefirst and second power rails are positioned on the exposed side of thepower track with each being laterally positioned on the exposed side andbeing exposed laterally, and wherein the isolator is laterallypositioned therebetween, and the first and second power rails areconnectable to the first and second connectors via longitudinalpositioning of the connectors relative to the laterally positionedrails.
 4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second powerrails are positioned on the exposed side of the power track and each ispositioned in a longitudinal positioned with the isolator positionedtherebetween, and wherein each power rail is not exposed from anlongitudinal position and wherein the first and second connectors of theshelf power coupler are positioned in a lateral direction for connectinglaterally with the longitudinally positioned power rails.
 5. Theassembly of claim 1 wherein the power coupler is adapted for mounting ata plurality of selectable positions along the rear edge of the shelf. 6.The assembly of claim 1 wherein the power coupler is adapted formounting to a lower surface of the shelf proximate to the rear edge ofthe shelf.
 7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the shelf power couplershelf power feed interface provides power to a power load selected fromthe group consisting of lights, LED lights, lighting strips, spotlights, fans, audio media players, video media players, sensors, andsecurity devices.
 8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the power track isseparate from and therefore not associated with the shelf mountingbracket mounting fixture.
 9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the shelfmounting fixture includes a structural mounting assembly selected fromthe group consisting of holes with shelf rests or snap clips withmounting pins for insertion into the holes, mounting track with slotsand brackets with hooks for engaging the slots, and a slat wall havingslats and brackets for mounting to the slats of the slatwall.
 10. Theassembly of claim 1 where the power supply is selected from the groupconsisting of AC power and DC power including low voltage DC power. 11.The assembly of claim 1 wherein the shelf power coupler has a shelfmounting fixture that is integrated into a body of the shelf.
 12. Theassembly of claim 1 wherein the shelf mounting fixture of the shelfpower coupler includes an adjustment for positioning the shelf powercoupler in one of a plurality of different longitudinal positionsrelative to the rear edge of the shelf and adjustable for adjusting thedistance from the shelf power coupler to the power track mounted on theshelf mounting body.
 13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the power trackincludes a data interface and a third elongated data rail that iscoupled to the data interface and that is electrically isolated from thetwo power rails, the data rail being positioned on the exposed side andabout a substantial length of the elongated body and communicating dataas received by the data interface; the shelf power coupler including adata connector positioned on the housing body and contacting the datarail of the data track for communicating with the data rail, the shelfpower coupler also including a coupler data interface for communicatingdata with a coupled data component associated with the shelf on whichthe power coupler is associated.
 14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein thepower track has a polarity fixture differentiating the first power railfrom the second power rail and interoperable with the shelf powercoupler for selective establishing the first power connection onlybetween the first connector and the first power rail and the secondpower connections only between the second connector and the second powerrail.
 15. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the polarity fixture includesa protrusion on only one of the first and second power rails, andwherein only one of the first and second connectors of the shelf powercoupler has a mating slot accepting the power track protrusion.
 16. Amethod for providing power to a shelf within an adjustable shelfassembly, the adjustable shelf assembly having a shelf supportingbracket selectively coupleable with a shelf bracket mounting fixture tomount to a shelf mounting body of the adjustable shelf assembly in oneof a plurality of vertical positions, the method comprising: attachingthe shelf bracket to the shelf bracket mounting fixture; mounting apower track to the shelf mounting body, the power track having anelongated body with a mounting side for mounting to a surface of theshelf mounting body, and an exposed side on an opposing side of the bodyfrom the mounting surface, the power track having two elongated powerrails positioned on the exposed side and about a substantial length ofthe elongated body, and a rail isolator positioned between the two powerrails electrically isolating a first of the two power rails from asecond of the two power rails, the power track having a power receivinginterface receiving power energy from a power source and providing aportion of the received power energy the two power rails; coupling powerenergy to the power receiving interface of the power track for providingpower energy to the first and second power rails of the power track;aligning a shelf power coupler with the mounted power track, the shelfpower coupler having a housing body, a power track connection interfaceand a shelf power feed interface, the power track connection interfaceincluding a first connector and a second connector each of which iselastic for making first and second power connections under a biasingpressure; placing the shelf with the mounted shelf power coupler on theattached shelf bracket; making a first connection between the firstconnector and the first power rail and a second connection between thesecond connector and the second power rail; applying a biasing pressureto the shelf in the direction of the shelf mounting body and the powertrack and to the first and second connectors against the first andsecond power rails, respectively; and selectively stabilizing the shelfto the shelf mounting bracket retaining the shelf in the biased pressureposition.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising mounting theshelf power coupler proximate to a rear edge of the shelf at one of aplurality lateral positions, whereby the mounted position of the shelfpower coupler is selected to align the first connector with the firstpower rail and the second connector with the second power rail duringplacing of the shelf on the attached shelf bracket.
 18. The method ofclaim 16 wherein the first and second connectors are collapsible pinsand wherein applying the biasing pressure do the shelf includescollapsing the collapsible pins in a biased position against the powerrails.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising electricallycoupling a power load associated with the shelf to the shelf power feedinterface of the shelf power coupler, wherein power load is selectedfrom the group selected from lights, LED lights, lighting strips, spotlights, fans, audio media players, video media players, sensors, andsecurity devices.
 20. The method of claim 16 wherein attaching the shelfbracket to the shelf bracket mounting fixture includes mounting astructural mounting assembly selected from the group consisting of holeswith shelf rests or snap clips with mounting pins for insertion into theholes, mounting track with slots and brackets with hooks for engagingthe slots, and a slat wall having slats and brackets for mounting to theslats of the slatwall.